Knights vs Dolphins, Momentum One Day Cup 2020, Today Match Prediction 14 Feb 2020

kng vs dolphins Match Prediction & Analysis

The Knights have started the Momentum One Day Cup 2020 on a horrible note, losing both their games so far. They are stranded at the last place on the points table with an awful net run rate of -1.565 and would need to start winning games soon to change their fortunes. They will be hosting Dolphins this Friday at Bloemfontein and hoping to take them down. However, that won't be easy.

The Dolphins are 2nd on the points table with 2 wins in 3 games and a net run rate of +0.735. The Keshav Maharaj-led side has been very good and looks strong on all departments. They have already walloped the Knights once this season by 94 runs and will hence start as favorites for this clash. The Knights would have to produce their best to register their first win of the season.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Knights Preview

The Knights have lost both their matches this season with big margins - by 94 runs against the Dolphins and by 50 runs against the Warriors. In both the games, their batting has let them down badly where they were bowled out for 115 and 164 runs respectively. They have a good batting unit that has failed to perform.

Opener Raynard van Tonder must lead the way at the front. Captain Pite van Biljon has been called up to the national squad and his presence will be felt in the middle-order. However, Keegan Petersen, Andries Gous, Obus Pienaar and new skipper Wandile Makwetu have to take responsibility for the middle-order. Petersen especially will have to bring his A-game.

In the bowling department, the Knights are a little better off. Shadley van Schalkwyk has picked up 2 wickets each in both the games he played so far. But the star with the ball for the team in the last match was left-arm seamer Mbulelo Budaza who had figures of 2-35. Shaun von Berg (5 wickets in 2 games) and Tshepo Ntuli (4 wickets in 2 games) have shown they can be regular wicket-takers for the team. The onus will again be on the bowling unit to deliver the goods.

Knights Predicted Playing XI:

Shadley van Schalkwyk, Obus Pienaar, Shaun von Berg, Keegan Petersen, Tshepo Ntuli , Mbulelo Budaza, Wandile Makwetu (c & wk), Andries Gous, Ottniel Baartman, Raynard van Tonder, Jacques Snyman

Knights Actual Playing XI:

Mbulelo Budaza, Ottneil Baartman, T Ntuli, Keegan Petersen, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, Wandile Makwetu, Obus Pienaar, AGS Gous, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Jacques Snyman

Dolphins Preview

The Dolphins have a solid batting lineup this time which is in very good form. Opener Grant Roelofsen, especially, has been sensational this season with scores of 147* (vs Titans) and 69 (vs Cape Cobras). The wicket-keeper batsman will again be expected to score big to at the top. Sarel Erwee and Vaughn van Jaarsveld have got starts but not been able to convert them into big ones. Perhaps that will change for them in this match.

The other batsmen to watch out for will be Khaya Zondo and Robbie Frylinck who have both got attractive cameos down the order in the last two games. The bowling department of the Dolphins has conceded plenty of runs in the last two matches and that would need to be checked. Robbie Frylinck will be the lead bowler. Kerwin Mungroo has been expensive but has picked up wickets. And while Imran Tahir went for runs in the last game without any wickets to show, the leg-spinner will remain the ace in the pack for the Dolphins. Captain Keshav Maharaj too will have an important role with his spin bowling.

Dolphins Predicted Playing XI:

Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Imran Tahir, Robbie Frylinck, Prenelan Subrayen, Keshav Maharaj (c), Khaya Zondo, Sibonelo Makhanya, Sarel Erwee, Marques Ackerman, Kerwin Mungroo, Grant Roelofsen (wk)

Dolphins Actual Playing XI:

Grant Roelofsen, P Subrayen, Sibonelo Makhanya, Keshav Maharaj, Sarel Erwee, Senuran Muthusamy, Kerwin Mungroo, Marques Ackerman, R Frylinck, Khaya Zondo, VBV Jaarsveld

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein is a great one for batting. The surface is hard and the ball should come on nicely to the bat. Slower bowlers who bring on their varieties well will also find some purchase in the middle overs. A thunderstorm is expected at Bloemfontein on the day of the match. However, it should be a passing shower and we should get a game.

Venue Details

The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein has seen some tall totals in ODIs and scores of 300-plus have been achieved here on 6 occasions. The highest total on the venue is a mammoth 399/9 by England versus South Africa in 2016. However, the average total batting first on the venue in ODIS is 238. The team batting first in this game would be looking to set a target of 280-290 to feel comfortable.

Toss: To Bat

Winning the toss and batting first has fetched good results for teams in this season. Thus, the captain winning the toss is likely to look to bat and post a healthy total on a good pitch.